250 people were at Petersburg graduation party when 2 girls were shot, police say

PETERSBURG, Va. -- Two girls were shot at a massive graduation party early Saturday morning in Petersburg, according to authorities.

Petersburg Deputy Police Chief Emanuel Chambliss said officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Halifax Street for a shots fired and an overturned vehicle call just before 1:15 a.m.

When officers arrived, they found two 16-year-old girls that were shot, Chambliss said.

One of the girls was med flighted to a hospital in Richmond while the other was taken by ambulance to an area hospital.

As of Monday afternoon, both victims remain hospitalized and are in stable condition, police say.

FULL INTERVIEW: Deputy chief talks about shooting at Petersburg graduation party

Chambliss estimated that about 250 people were at the graduation party when shots rang out.

"[The shooting] happened while the party was going on," Chambliss said. "We're not sure what the connection is to the party. Detectives are still investigating."

A person who attended the party, who spoke with WTVR CBS 6 on the condition of anonymity, called the scene "chaotic" and said people were trying to run away as shots rang out.

Chambliss said some of those people trying to leave the party fell and suffered minor injuries like scrapes and bruises.

SCENE VIDEO: Girls shot during massive graduation party in Petersburg

"We haven't got anything as far as a description of a suspect, suspect vehicle, or anything at this point," Chambliss said. "We're asking anybody that was on scene and heard or saw anything to please give us a call."

Petersburg High School's graduation ceremony took place Saturday morning on the campus of Virginia State University.

If you have information that could help detectives, call Petersburg Police at 804-732-4222 or Petersburg/Dinwiddie Crime Solvers at 804-861-1212 or text the keyword pdcash followed by the tip and send it to 274637.

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